Well ladies and gentlemen, it looks like Henry Cavill has done it again.
After getting absolutely shredded for his role in Immortals, Henry Cavill has taken it upon himself to bulk up for the titular role as Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel.
And if you’ve seen any of the recent behind the scene photos, then you’ll definitely notice that Henry Cavill has succeeded in packing on a substantial amount of muscle.
I laid down a detailed overview of the Henry Cavill’s training and diet to help you look like Superman.
Train in all rep ranges to get ripped like Henry Cavill
In order to properly portray Superman, Henry Cavill needed to look both big and strong. And the best way to accomplish this is by lifting in both low, mid, and high rep ranges. When most guys train, they typically either train really really heavy or really really light.
They either lift exclusively in the 3-6 rep range or in the 10-12 rep range.
While lower rep ranges (3-6 reps) are good for increasing your strength levels, they aren’t the best for muscular hypertrophy.
On the other hand, higher rep ranges (10-12 reps) are good for increasing fluid in the muscle which will quickly increase the muscle’s size but it doesn’t necessarily translate to strength gains. To build the best overall physique, you need to incorporate all rep ranges.
As you can see in the pic above, Henry Cavill definitely got ripped for Man of Steel. He has excellent muscular density and body proportions. I can’t stress the importance of body proportions enough when it comes to building muscle.
Henry Cavill has a very “shoulder centric” look to his body meaning he has very broad shoulders and a very tight, lean waist. All guys should aim for this look if they want to look like Henry Cavil.
How to do the Henry Cavill workout
For the Henry Cavill Superman workout, your workout should be spread over 4 days. Ideally, you should be on a 2 day on-1 day off cycle. Or if you can’t swing that, you can do an every other day cycle
Monday (Upper body, strength)
- Incline dumbbell press – 4 sets/5 reps
- Flat dumbbell press – 4 sets/5 reps
- Weighted pull ups – 4 sets/5 reps
- Dumbbell or barbell row – 4 sets/5 reps
Tuesday (Lower body, strength)
- Deadlift – 5 sets/ 5 reps
- Front squat – 5 sets/6-8 reps
- Front lunges – 4 sets/8 reps per leg
- Calf raise – 5 sets/12 reps
Wed (Rest)
Rest day.
Take it easy.
Thrus (Chest and Back, hypertrophy)
- Incline dumbbell press – 4 sets/8-10 reps
- Cable crossover – 4 sets/10-12 reps
- Weighted chin ups – 4 sets/8-10 reps
- Seated cable row – 4 sets/10-12 reps
Friday (Shoulders and arms, hypertrophy)
- Seated dumbbell press – 5 sets/8-10 reps
- Side lateral raise – 5 sets/10-12 reps
- Front Lateral raises – 5 sets/10-12 reps
- Any bicep curl variation – 6 sets/10-12 reps
- Any tricep extension variation – 6 sets/10-12 reps
Saturday and Sunday (Rest)
Note: You can do some soft tissue work (with foam roller or lacrosse ball), some dynamic stretching, and even some walking but don’t do any high intensity activities.
Henry Cavill diet – don’t screw this up!
I’m on 5,000 calories a day. You’ve got to eat protein first, then a little bit of carbs … you’ve gotta keep your hunger levels going.
While the sample Henry Cavill workout above will help you gain muscle like a mother*ucker, it will only work if your diet is on point.
According to various interviews, Henry ate up to 5000 calories per day in order to bulk up for Superman.
I don’t know if this number is over exaggerated but the majority of people will never need 5000 calories per day, even if your goal is to gain weight.
For most people, the following formula tends to work pretty well: Your bodyweight in pounds x 16-18 kcals.
You can adjust up or down by 100-200 calories if you start to gain more fat than muscle.
As for what kinds of foods you should eat…I don’t particularly care.
- Aim to get about 0.8-1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight.
- Aim to get 20% of your calories from fat.
- Fill in the rest of your calories with carbs.
You can still eat your favorite foods, but just remember – moderation! You should try to eat more whole foods 80% of the time, meaning foods like potatoes, beef, chicken, pork, whole milk, rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.
But if you have a craving for doughnuts or pizza then don’t deprive yourself either, just don’t binge on that shit.
Do you need to take supplements?
I typically don’t recommend supplements because all you need t build a badass body like Henry Cavill in Superman is a solid workout program and good nutrition. But that’s not to say supplements are useless.
If you’re having trouble getting enough protein, then a protein powder may help.
Other than that, a multivitamin is useful to cover potential mineral deficiencies.
And some fish oil is useful to combat inflammation and balance out the Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio that is so common in Western diets.
Recommended supplement brands:
- ON Whey (protein powder)
- Garden Of Life Multivitamin for men (multivitamin)
- Nutrigold fish oil (fish oil)
Update (6/14): What if I’m not trying to gain muscle?
I understand everyone has different goals and not everyone is trying to gain muscle. A lot of guys are complete beginners and want to lose weight.
Here’s how to modify the workout and diet above if you’re trying to lose weight and not gain muscle:
- Do the same workout but the each workout but on Monday do 1 less set for each exercise.
- On Tuesday, do 1 less set for each exercise except calf raises (still do 5 sets). On Thursday, do 1 less set for each exercise.
- On Friday, do 1 less set for each exercise, except for the bicep and triceps exercises (only do 4 sets each instead of 6)
- For you diet, the only thing that changes are your calorie requirements.
- Use the following formula:Your bodyweight in pounds x 16-18.
- If you’re a complete beginner, chances are you’ll gain muscle and lose fat (the newbie effect) which is awesome even if you’re in a calorie deficit.
Henry Cavil Workout: Want the exact blueprint to build a “Superman” worthy body?
Look I know a lot of guys who aspire to look like Cavill struggle with losing weight and building muscle.
You’re probably one of them.
So I took everything I know and created a program called Superhero X12 designed specifically for guys who want to get ripped and build a Hollywood “superhero” body.
If you ever wanted the lean, aesthetic physique of a Hollywood actor, be sure to check it out. If you have any questions on the Henry Cavill Man of Steel workout, be sure to leave them below.
Will working shoulders once a week work?
yes
First of all, thank you! It’s an amazing workout and I can’t wait to start it on monday. I’m 5’8″ and weight 135 pounds. I’ve been working out for a year but I still haven’t got the muscle tone that I’m looking for since I still look slim but and I’m also showing a small belly. Not too much, just barely enough fat to show a two pack instead of a six pack. Is this the best way to bulk up while also finally losing that small amount of fat? Should I go with the Abercrombie rutine instead? I know you usually recommend to lose fat when someone is overweight but since it’s not that much fat I thought I’d ask you. Thanks again!
No focus on this and bulk. Sounds like you are skinny fat.
Thank you so much for answering. I’ve never heard about it before (I’m still very ignorant about a lot of stuff) and now I’m reading all I can to help improve my diet. It fits my condition perfectly. Should I do a couple of HIIT every week with this to help burn the fat (with the appropiate calorie intake) or should I just focus on bulking up? Will a gainer help me or is it better to stick to my protein shake?
My question is,is running ok with this training program.I am 180cm tall and i have 90 kg,i would like to lose a little weight and do make body like Henry.
you don’t need to run to lose weight.
Actually,my question was,will i lose mass if i run and train by this program.
no you won’t.
Hi, i’ve been following this workout for almost 2 months already. I started at 92kg. Now I’m 84kg. I’ve been stuck at 85 kg for quite some time. But I keep getting leaner. I added some cardio to this workout. I recently also added abs workout routine (mostly planks and leg raises). I still got a long way to go. But I wanted to thank you for getting me to the gym again. I really want to have a superman body type. Thanks man
Awesome job Sebastian.
Keep it up!
Thanks for the routine, I am on my second week. Been out for two months and wanted something fresh, enjoying it a lot too. Only thing is that thurs/fri are over far too quickly with 1 minute rest times (I do two minutes for the first two days – if you can edit your post it may be a good idea to let people know as it is not obvious if you have just started out)
I added a decline dumbbell bench press on Thursday after the incline this week and found it far better and pushed to me the 45 minute mark.
I am thinking of switching things up after about 3 months, things like front squats to squats, switching dumbbells for barbells etc to keep improving. Will let you know how I get on in the next few months. Currently gaining 1lb a week at 3,000 calories a day (I was 180lb now 182 at 6 foot with the odd weekend cheat meal, otherwise clean eating.)
8-10 reps requires around 1.5 min not 1.
Thanks man, I’ll up it to 90 secs
I have a couple questions. Should the lunges be done using external weight or should I just use bodyweight. Also, what kind of calf raises should I do? Thank you.
Lunges with weight.
And calf raise variation is fine.
Hello, many thanks for the input . I have a question, my height and weight 102kg 1’73cm , I would serve to lose fat or is not appropriate for me? See you
yes, losing fat is more so diet than anything else.
when i start eating more, 100- 200 calories more, how long is it before i gain more weight
will it be around 1 kg in a week or
you need to eat 500 more.
Hey Keith,
Really want to take on this program. I am not a beginner lifter but I am looking to lose a belly. I played football in college and lifted often but that lifting wasn’t for the goals that I’m looking for now. Its been 2 years since and I’ve gained a pretty decent “beer” belly (I know they don’t really exist but its the best way to describe it!). I’m feeling very conflicted on gaining muscle vs. losing weight. I already am cutting calories and have lost ten pounds. I’m wondering If I should be following the modified “weight-loss” version of the routine or if I should just go into the regular version for muscle building. Awesome website and thank you in advanced for your help!
Vinny
how are you looking now? Do you feel fat? if so, lose fat first.
I have been working out for a week I take my multivitamins and fish oil. I also take creatine with my whey protein and I take a pre workout shake. I workout for an hour a day and gradually changing time each week. I weigh 203 and I’m 6 foot 1 I have been eating right and I was seeing if this Henry Cahill workout will make me have his body tone cuz he is 6 foot 1 and he also weighs 203 and how long would it take me to achieve my goal
i have no idea how long, it varies for every person and there are so many variables at play. Give it at least 1-2 months.
What about legs?
Nothing in there about working legs.
Supermen need strong legs too
Did you not see the lower body workout?
What if my goal is pure strength. I get that muscle build comes with strength but is this just about muscle or about strength.
If you don’t care about building any muscle at all, then this program is probably not for you.
So if I’m trying to lean out more and than anything and loose fat but put on some muscles this is the workout for me? As long as i ke5eo my diet down, i should be able to get leaner?
yes, just focus on fat loss and you’ll gain a little muscle along the way.
I’m 6′ 1″ 255 I want to drop weight to 225 and bulk up. What can I do???
yes, just focus on fat loss and you’ll gain a little muscle along the way
This has to be a piss take website right? Especially when you answer everyone’s questions in one sentence and it all sounds sarcastic? This is fairly disrespectful to the guys that actually trained him.
Why would you say that? I took my time to help and answer everyone’s questions.